How to plan your kitchen lighting
Common kitchen lighting problems
Lighting and kitchen layout
How to choose kitchen lighting
Types of kitchen lighting by material
The final touches: height, size and colour temperature
What’s the best height for kitchen lighting?
How to pick the right size for kitchen lights
Does colour temperature matter?
Kitchen lighting checklist

Whether you're planning or in the midst of a kitchen reno, one of the biggest questions that comes up is what your lighting solutions will be. While we often want our living spaces to reflect our individual personalities, we're often cautious to inject too much personality and character, just in case our character is too bold, or is a trend that may become outdated. 

So, we’ve created a definitive how-to guide that explores lighting types, materials, placement and arrangement, etc., and how these can be incorporated into your kitchen lighting plan. If you are not quite ready to take on a full kitchen reno, a new lighting scheme on its own can give your kitchen a fresh look.

How to plan your kitchen lighting

The kitchen being a versatile space, a well-considered lighting scheme will ensure you have the right lighting in the right places. To begin with, layering your lighting can help you get this right.

General Lighting is ambient lighting that serves as the main source of illumination for the kitchen. General lighting can include a variety of lights and is intended to act as a stand in for natural sunlight. In kitchens that have little to no natural sunlight, or need extra lighting at night-time, lights such as these provide illumination for the general movement throughout the kitchen. We recommend lights such as flush mount ceiling lights, track lighting, recessed lighting and downlights; downlights can be easily installed across the ceiling and provide a flood of ambient light. It's worth taking into account your kitchen’s colour scheme and finish. Light colours and gloss finishes reflect light and reduce the need for artificial ambient lighting.

Task lighting is ideal for activities where you need targeted, focused and oftentimes directional lighting. This is pertinent in kitchen workspaces, where you’ll be undertaking food preparation. When you’re cooking up a storm, handling knives in lowlight or shadowed areas isn’t the best idea (ouch). In these instances, extra light is required, so installing task lights is recommended for task-oriented spaces. Linear lighting has high functionality as it gives uniform coverage across the surface. This makes it a suitable choice over kitchen islands. 

For other task-oriented areas, we recommend adjustable downlights in considered locations such as underneath cabinetry (to illuminate a bench), or in the ceiling in the direction of a kitchen island. The correct placement of down lights can mean the difference between having task lighting or ambient lighting overhead. And installing dimmers, allows you to easily control the brightness for the task at hand. Downlights may not always reach every nook and cranny in your kitchen leaving shadowed areas. You may even cast your own shadow over the task area. Under-cabinet spaces can often have poor lighting, limiting your ability to make the most use of your bench space. To eliminate these shadowed areas, LED strip lights offer a handy solution as they work well as under-cabinet lighting.

Accent Lighting is exactly what it says on the tin – it’s lighting that makes a statement and is more artistic overall than it is practical. That’s not to say that it isn’t serving a function; however, the purpose of accent lighting is to accentuate a particular décor or aesthetic. One of the easiest ways to get creative with accent lighting in kitchens is to experiment with pendant lighting atop kitchen islands. Depending on the size of your kitchen island, we recommend three, or multiples of three pendant lights at even or varying heights for an enhanced look and function. While pendants installed in this manner should generally be spaced 50-80cm apart, there’s room to get creative especially for smaller kitchen islands. Grouping pendants as a cluster for a statement look is another way to use pendants as accent lights. Alternately, even a single pendant with a large shade can work well too. It really depends on your kitchen dimensions and available bench space. LED strip lights offer another innovative way to highlight your kitchen’s best features. Strip lights under kitchen islands or within cabinets not only serve to accentuate but can also create atmosphere in the evening. 

It must be said that certain zones of the kitchen serve dual purposes, and lighting for these spaces should also function accordingly. This is where a dimmer would come in handy to give you more control to adjust as needed. Pendants over a kitchen island for instance should fulfill task lighting requirements as it’s a versatile space in a kitchen. Another example would be a wall light or pendant light over a kitchen sink. A powerful light bulb will provide task lighting when needed, but with a dimmer in place, the light can be reduced to bathe your kitchen in an ambient glow when winding down for the night. For in-depth information on light bulbs and available options please read our Light Bulb Buying Guide.

Before you begin your new lighting scheme, it’s always best to draw your kitchen ceiling to scale and prepare a grid to mark the placement of your general lighting. The more uniform the placements the better. Once this is done, you can then consider where you need to add task lights and accent lights and adjust accordingly.

Common kitchen lighting problems

Not all kitchens benefit from a well-placed window for natural light. A lack of natural light is a definite down-side leaving you with a dark kitchen. To compensate, a few options to consider are an open plan design, use of glass doors and cabinets or adding a skylight to facilitate the flow of light. When it comes to your lighting plan, however, being aware of common issues is useful to take pre-emptive steps.

Storage areas: Even brightly lit kitchens can end up with dark storage areas. Accessing kitchen storage is a frequent exercise and insufficient lighting in these recessed spaces is not ideal. LED strip lights are a versatile solution for lining shelves and drawers, or for use as under-cabinet lighting to brighten dark corners. Downlights or cabinet lighting mounted inside units that turn on and off when you open and close their doors are another effective alternative.

Fixture size: Aesthetics aside, fixture size is an important aspect to consider when choosing kitchen lighting. An over-sized pendant over an island or one that’s too small, can throw your space out of balance. Fixtures that are to scale in relation to your space or benchtop will look proportionate and appealing. Reader further down for more information on choosing the right fixture size.

Shadows and glare: As described earlier under Task Lighting, overhead lighting can cast shadows on working surfaces, requiring under-cabinet lighting for task-oriented areas. However, an unintended outcome of bright task lights is glare that will impede comfort and functionality. So, it’s important to have the required brightness for task lights along with ambient lighting. Avoid strong task lights near reflective surfaces such as steel or granite, and instead consider wall lights that produce diffused lighting.

Lighting and kitchen layout

The layout of your kitchen largely depends on the available space, and it will also greatly influence your lighting plan. Here are some of our lighting tips to consider for different kitchen layouts.

U-shape kitchen: This layout is suited for larger spaces and are popular for its generous workspace. As there are more corners to consider in this layout, a broader lighting plan is required to avoid shadowed areas. With more room to work with, overhead cabinets can be zoned to sit over sections that are not task heavy and where necessary under-cabinet strip lights can supply task lighting. For u-shape kitchens with an island or a peninsula, a series of pendant lights for even lighting will add another layer of lighting as well as aesthetic value.

Butler’s pantry: A practical extension of the kitchen, the butler’s pantry is growing in popularity and expanding in size and functionality as well. This is especially true for open plan spaces. A butler’s pantry offers the privacy for prepping, as well as stacking dirty dishes and plates while entertaining guests. It takes you away from the busy traffic of the main areas in your home. Given the task-oriented demands of the space, lighting is key to make this space a functional extension. As it will often lack a window or natural light, good overhead lighting is necessary.

However, given its smaller size the best options for butlers pantry lighting are flush mount lights or downlights as pendant lights can crowd the space further. As it is a small space of utility, a straight-line layout with a sink is common along with overhead cabinets and shelves. In such a setup, shadows can often pose a problem, making task lighting a must. In addition to under-cabinet lighting and strip lights to brighten dark areas, an added bonus would be motion activate lighting or a micro switch attached to the door frame to turn on the lights every time the door opens.

How to choose kitchen lighting

There are number of aspects to consider when choosing kitchen lights. If you're having trouble ascertaining the finer points of lighting for your kitchen, it's never a bad idea to speak with your local electrician for their professional advice. Even if you want to swap the lights out in a few years, it's best to install and fit the lights correctly from the start, in order to maximise their true potential. Below, we take a look at fixture material and size, mounting height and bulb colour temperature to guide you in selecting the right lighting for your kitchen.

Types of kitchen lighting by material

A good place to start is to pin down the type of material that best suits your space, as this often dictates colour tone and style.
There is a myriad of materials that lights are made from – metal, brass, stainless steel, to name a few. Avoid styles and colours that clash with your kitchen design. Afterall you want your kitchen to be an inviting space. So, here are a few of our favourite materials that we think are worth considering:

Glass

Glass lighting is ideal for kitchen lighting as it maximises the sense of space. As you can see through the glass, it doesn’t overwhelm, which is perfect if you don’t have a large kitchen or workspace. Glass is also incredibly easy to maintain – simply wipe it with a damp cloth when it gets dusty or dirty. Glass also works within a multitude of decors; so, if you’re not sure about opting for a bold statement light, glass lighting (e.g. pendant lighting, flush mount lighting) can act as a great transitional and understated piece.

Porcelain Enamel

Porcelain enamel is one of the best choices of kitchen lighting. It was used as far back as the ancient Egyptians who created artworks and jewellery from it. Porcelain enamel is created by fusing powdered glass with metal at extreme heat. The glass melts onto the metal to create a smooth and durable vitreous coating. This robust material retains its sheen over time and is easy to clean and maintain and is perfect for kitchen lighting as it will stand the test of time. We recommend porcelain enamel pendant lights and chandeliers, which act as both task lighting and accent lighting.

Wicker/Rattan

Wicker is an incredibly versatile material that’s had a phenomenal comeback in recent times. A natural material, wicker/rattan is ideal for kitchen lighting as it adds a neutral and balanced look and feel to your space. It is also great for eco-conscious shoppers who care about sustainable materials and design; as it is a natural material, it will eventually biodegrade if properly disposed. And given its design versatility, it is suitable for both modern and traditional decors. What’s not to love? Check out our wicker and rattan collection for more inspiration.

Wood

Another favourite, we love wood lighting as it creates an earthy look and feel to kitchens. Often associated with Scandinavian design, and often coupled with glass, we recommend wood pendant lights against a marble or concrete kitchen island to create a mid-century modern aesthetic.

Concrete

Concrete is another versatile choice that is steadily growing in popularity in contemporary or industrial style interiors. Its neutral tones usually presented in a range of minimalist designs evoke an urban look and feel, which means that it can easily blend with your kitchen colour palette. Concrete is often used in pendant light shades in combination with timber features and makes a perfect feature over your kitchen island. For more concrete lighting inspirations check out our collection here.

Fabric

Nothing says warm and inviting like fabric lights. And who doesn’t want that? Fabric is a material that makes itself at home in a wide range of interiors and themes including French Provincial, modern country and Boho. Linen is a popular choice for fabric lights and is often used in conjunction with metal frames to hold its shape. This allows lights to take a variety of shapes and designs, be it a rustic country look or a simple elegant feature. Fabric also diffuses or softens light resulting in atmospheric or ambient lighting.

The final touches: height, size and colour temperature

If you're having trouble ascertaining the finer points of lighting for your kitchen, it's never a bad idea to speak with your local electrician for their professional advice. Even if you want to swap the lights out in a few years, it's best to install and fit the lights correctly from the start, in order to maximise their true potential.

What’s the best height for kitchen lighting?

Thinking about the height between your pendant light, chandelier or track light and the kitchen countertop is probably the last thing on your mind. But it's crucial to take this into consideration in order to ensure a practical and usable space. 

If a light is hung too low, you risk creating an overwhelming space that won't invite guests to sit down at a kitchen island bench. Similarly, if it's hung too high, lights may hang disproportionately to the kitchen island, and can throw the entire room out of balance.
For kitchen islands, ensure that any light is hung with enough clearance space so that it won’t hinder tasks, or leave you at risk of a bump to the head! While the general rule of thumb for clearance is 70-80cm between the kitchen island and the light, this is subjective and depends on your height, the size of the light, the shade of the light (and if it will emit enough ambient light if hung too low), etc. One way to get this right would be to safely hold the pendant light above the bench to gauge the right height with the help of a second pair of eyes on the ground.
For an in-depth guide on installing pendant lights correctly please read our Pendant Light Buying Guide.

How to pick the right size for kitchen lights

When selecting pendant lights be mindful of the size of your kitchen. Large pendant lights in a small kitchen will overwhelm the space and diminish the overall visual appeal of your kitchen. The fixture size also determines how high or low you can install them. As a general rule, large lights can be hung higher and smaller sizes lower.
Recessed lights are frequently used for general lighting in a kitchen. While smaller sizes are gaining in popularity, be mindful of the size-to-function ratio. Smaller sized recessed lights may work well for a standard height ceiling but will seem dim on a high ceiling.

Another consideration is the style or design of recessed or flush mount lights. While both these lights are great options for general lighting, a complex design such as stained glass or embellished rims can magnify their appearance and seem larger than they actually are. For this reason, smaller sized lights will work better to ensure your kitchen space retains a balanced look.
Moreover, if you do have a small sized kitchen or a low ceiling and have your heart set on flush mount lights, it’s best to go with low-profile fixtures to ensure you achieve reasonable clearance and have optimum general lighting for the space.

Does colour temperature matter?

While you are mulling over the colour of your pendants and fixtures, consider the colour of light bulbs as well. To present your kitchen in the best light possible, choose bulbs with colour temperatures that complement the colour scheme of your kitchen. For instance, warm colour temperature or yellow light complements soft warm tones such as earthy hues. Similarly, cooler colour temperatures are better suited for cooler colour palettes such as blue and grey. 

No doubt, the kitchen above all else needs to be a functional space, and we recommend colour temperatures that range between warm white and white in conjunction with a dimmer. This also depends on the combination of lights used and the size of your kitchen. For instance, a single flush mount light with 3000K colour temperature could provide ample illumination for your space, but a softer colour temperature is best for a series of recessed lights so that your space is not flooded in harsh light. You can take functionality a step further with smart bulbs. The latest innovation in light bulb technology, smart bulbs have WiFi enabled controls to remotely adjust brightness and colour temperature using phone apps or home assistants. Whether you want atmospheric lighting at dinner time or a flood of bright light for cooking and prepping, smart bulbs make the task of selecting the right lighting a lot easier. 

Regardless of which décor or aesthetic you’re going for, by incorporating a mixture of task, accent and general lighting, you’ll be sure to create a space that is both functional and decorative. And, if you’re still stuck on kitchen lighting ideas, why not get in touch with our friendly team at Fat Shack Vintage? We’re always on call to assist in creating the perfect kitchen space.

Kitchen lighting checklist:

• Have you drawn out the layout of your kitchen?
• Have you created a lighting plan?
• Have you marked out how many overhead fixtures you need?
• Have you considered overhead cabinets and how it affects lighting placement?
• Have you considered the style of your decor?
• Have you decided on fixture material and size?
• Have you measured the right mounting height and spacing for your fixtures?
• Have you identified any dark areas?
• Have you considered different bulb types?
• Have you chosen the correct bulb base?
• Have you considered which lights require dimmers?
• Have you talked to a qualified electrician about your desired placement?